World Heritage Day observed

A light and sound show is arranged at Lalbagh Fort in Dhaka on Tuesday to mark the World Heritage Day.-- Ali Hossain Mintu

World Heritage Day was observed with a call to save all heritage sites through a programme at Lalbagh Fort in the capital on Tuesday.

Archaeology department and non-government organisation Friendship jointly organised the programme which featured exhibition of photographs of heritage sites, of artifacts and extinct boats, launch of a book on archaeology, discussion and sound and light show.

Cultural affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor attended the programme as the chief guest, while cultural affairs secretary Ibrahim Hossain Khan, and director general of archaeology department Altaf Hossain were also present.

Emphasising necessity of proper preservation of heritage sites and historical objects, Asaduzzaman Noor said, 'we lack in proper preservation facilities and skilled manpower to excavate and research archaeological sites. We have been trying to improve both facilities and manpower so that we can properly preserve our heritage sites'.

Display of replicas of over a hundred extinct boats once popular in different areas of the country attracted audience at the programme.

Organised specially by Friendship, the show is intended to create awareness about preservation and maintenance of boats and rivers of Bangladesh.

The light and sound show in the evening was a joy to watch for visitors. The show featured history of the country dating from medieval times to the liberation war through laser light projections and narration. Based on a script written late poet-playwright Syed Shamsul Haque, the light and sound show uses voices by Asaduzzaman Noor and Shimul Yousuff.